How did the trajectory of visual art evolve from the post-war period through the turn of the millennium? David A. Hopkins, a professor of art history, examines the shift from high modernism to the pluralistic landscape of contemporary practice. He utilizes a chronological framework to analyze how socio-political movements, technological advancements, and changing institutional structures redefined the role of the artist and the object in the late 20th century.

Scholars and students frequently cite this work as a standard survey text for understanding the transition from modern to contemporary art. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous analytical framework for navigating complex art historical developments.